New Industrial Synthesis of Squalane

Squalane is synthesized by the ethynylation reaction of geranylacetone with a complex of 1,3-butadiyne : N-methylpyrrolidone (=1 : 1) in the presence of a KOH catalyst and by hydrogenation with a Raney nickel catalyst, followed by hydrogenation hydrogenolysis with a mixed catalyst of nickel/diatomaceous earth and silica-alumina. An alternative synthesis of squalane from dehydronerolidol is also achieved by oxidative coupling reaction with a copper(II) catalyst under a helium atmosphere.